Photo Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/52355955@N03/

This über creative back to school bulletin board display, designed by third grade teacher, Beth Sawyer, is sure to be a ‘jaw dropper’! {Who doesn’t like the quirky Ms. Frizzle and the ‘far out’ places she takes her unsuspecting students?!} Perfect for tying into a space classroom theme or children’s literature study, the design definitely takes some work, but the results will be magnificent!

The Magic School Bus Welcome Bulletin Board

• Background: Dark blue background paper. Add small clear or silver gems, star stickers, sequins, confetti pieces, etc. to give it a “starry night” feel! You might also consider purchasing “Night Sky” background paper for less work!
• Title: “______________ [The Third Grade Teachers, Mrs. Moore's Class, Room 203, etc] : Lost in the Solar System!” – We love how Beth paralleled the bulletin board lettering with the book title, creating computer generated headings! But, of course, you can always use traditional bulletin board letters as well!
• Border: Solid yellow trimmer.
• Decoration: 1) The Magic School Bus. Unless you can find a template or use your classroom projector system to enlarge and trace the bus on the book cover, you’ll be drawing and decorating “The Magic School Bus” by hand on a piece of yellow background paper. [NOTE: When using the book cover as a guide, please note that the bus only has three side windows. Be sure to plan ahead. If you can only fit a small number and you'd like to feature your entire class, take 'special' pictures for the board - assigning two to three students per side window and fitting a larger group in the front windshield. To feature the 7 third grade teachers, Beth had to add two extra windows.] Trace or draw with pencil then outline and decorate using permanent markers in assorted colors. 2) The Planets. Add a menagerie of planets/heavenly bodies around the bus. Beth used store bought cutouts, but you could also draw and paint your own, or find a template online, cutting the objects from colorful construction paper.

Supplies for this bulletin board…

• Dark blue or night sky bulletin board paper
• Yellow background paper
• Bulletin board letters
• Solid yellow bulletin board trimmer
• Permanent markers
• Construction paper in assorted colors {optional}
• Craft paint in assorted colors {optional}

Do you take decoration/theme ideas from your favorite children’s literature? We’d love to hear about your designs, so be sure to leave us a comment below or catch up with us on Facebook!